BMW seeks to patent technological creative thinking?!
BMW 535i Gran Turismo – Click above for high-res image gallery
Yes, you read the headline correctly. BMW has filed a patent for a "Method for Systematically Identifying Technology-Based Solutions." Broken down into non-lawyer speak, BMW thinks it has identified the ways in which technology can solve problems. In other words, they want to patent the methodology behind technological problem solving. Which is a bit like patenting the scientific method. Put another way, this is so loaded with high-on-their-own-supply corporate hubris we have a hard time swallowing, let alone believing.
Does the patent actually, you know, do anything? Hard to say, as we're not patent attorneys (or even patent clerks) and the language is a little dense. But, we can point out that this particular patent was filed by BMW in August of 2008, while the 5 Series GT officially debuted at Frankfurt in September of 2009. Also, when did our X6 M review go live?
Gallery: First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo
Gallery: First Drive: 2010 BMW X6 M
[Source: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office via SWDELaw]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Carlos 8:11AM (11/06/2009)
April Fools?
Reply
Flea 8:35AM (11/06/2009)
I'd say november trolling...
Tourian A5 1:48PM (11/06/2009)
"Does the patent actually, you know, do anything? Hard to say, as we're not patent attorneys (or even patent clerks) and the language is a little dense."
So you're bashing BMW for getting a patent you don't know what it does? This article is not only biased, it's also misinformed. Nothing about this is journalism, just plain old amateur blogging.
Next writer please.
JimBob 1:22PM (11/06/2009)
If you came to a car blog seeking real journalism, the joke is clearly on you.
geo.stewart 8:14AM (11/06/2009)
if their latest cars are products of this, they can have the patent. anything to keep good manufacturers from making those types of abominations.
pitiful.
several of their concepts recently are pretty cool in thinking outside the box and thats probably what it is in reference to. still, someone has been looking in the funhouse mirror.
Reply
Yaroukh 8:22AM (11/06/2009)
yep, i was just thinking "gosh the gran turismu is fugliness on wheels", just didn't want to bash off-topic
tanooki2003 8:18AM (11/06/2009)
While they're at it, why don't they patent the way their employees take craps in their public restrooms in a timely fashion too.
(rolls eyes)
Reply
Flea 8:20AM (11/06/2009)
of course. because BMW invented and pioneered hybrid powertrains, airbags, seatbelts, aluminum and carbon fiber frames, ABS, radar cruise control, direct injection and hydrogen fuel cells.
oh wait.
the train of thoughts that brought these morons to think they are a lone island of brilliance in a world of clueless people and that they should be given MONEY for that is beyond infuriating.
Maybe someone should take out Leonardo da Vinci's 500 year old tank invention and run over a couple X5's to show these germans the panzer wasn't their invention either.
Reply
jpm100 8:43AM (11/06/2009)
I'm going to patent hot women turning me down for sex, then refuse to license it.
Reply
David Wiles 8:53AM (11/06/2009)
Great! So not only do I continue to get turned down for sex by hot women,
but now you're going to sue me. Yeah, that's just great...
Shamdiddly 10:31AM (11/06/2009)
Finally!
A benefit to being married!
Visnick 9:04AM (11/06/2009)
It's hard to still be a BMW fan
Reply
ken_aisin 1:04PM (11/06/2009)
+1, BMW is no longer the brand that I once fell in love with.
Aeromax 9:11AM (11/06/2009)
What has BMW solved lately that is so groundbreaking that they deserve to patent the method behind the formula of getting there?
Reply
ken_aisin 12:59PM (11/06/2009)
+1, I haven't seen anything from BMW recently that is ground breaking either, other than ground breaking ugly designs.
By the way..... "Method for Systematically Identifying Technology-Based Solutions....." Hey BMW, why don't you use this so-called method to improve your cars' reliability.
Thipps 9:21AM (11/06/2009)
BMW's Smug thinking might actually pass Prius drivers.
bet they like the smell of there own farts 2
Reply
Colin Smith 9:20AM (11/06/2009)
I think hubris beckons.
I'm sure BMWs are just fine, if you like that sort of thing, but whereas inventions can be patented, I don't see how the method can exactly.
Keep saying that "Method for Systematically Identifying Technology-Based Solutions" garbage over and over. Now; will the person who understands what the hell it means please patent the explanation and let us all know.
Reply
Edsel 9:40AM (11/06/2009)
Their "patentable" creative technology doesn't work. I owned a 7 series for 7 problem plagued years.
Reply
adrian 10:14AM (11/06/2009)
What's so good about the Gran Turismo?. It just seems like a large hatchback to me. The old Rover did this many years ago with the V8 SD1 and the 800.
Reply
jonnybimmer 10:16AM (11/06/2009)
BMW. I love what you make, but seriously, stop it. It's bad enough you claim whatever you make is "The Ultimate Driving Machine", but now you guys are going to hurt yourselves. I feel like I should take the crayons away from someone in your marketing dept.
Reply